Home Emergency plumbing Sewer backups
Sewer backup? Stop using water and call now.
Sewage in your home is a health hazard. Every flush or drain makes it worse, so stop using water and get help on the way.
What is happening
Sewage coming up through floor drains, tubs or toilets means wastewater cannot get out. It is unsanitary and can spread through a home fast. A backup often points to a blockage or damage in the main sewer line, not just one fixture.
Do this right now
- Stop using all water: no flushing, laundry, dishwasher or showers
- Keep people and pets away from the affected area
- Do not pour chemical cleaners into backed-up drains
- Wear gloves and boots if you must touch anything, and wash well after
- Call us before you try to clean up large amounts
The Pyper way
How Pyper handles it
We clear the blockage and run a camera through the line to see why it happened: roots, a crack, a sag or buildup. Then we recommend the right repair for that cause, so the backup does not come back next month.
Find the blockage
We locate where the line is blocked, whether in the house line or farther toward the main.
Look inside the pipe
A camera inspection shows whether it is a simple clog, roots, a sag or a broken section.
Clear or repair
We clear the line, and if the pipe itself is damaged we explain the repair options.
Prevent a repeat
We tell you what caused it so you can reduce the chance of another backup.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Running the washer, dishwasher or showers to see if it clears
- Using harsh chemical drain cleaners, which are hazardous to handle and rarely fix a main line problem
- Cleaning up sewage with bare hands or without protection
- Assuming it is only a clog when the main line may be damaged
Questions we hear
Is a sewer backup an emergency?
Yes. Sewage carries bacteria and can damage floors and walls. Stop using water, keep people and pets away, and call a plumber.
Who is responsible, me or the city?
Usually the homeowner is responsible for the line on the property, and the city or sewer district for the main in the street. If neighbors are affected too, the main may be the cause, so call your sewer utility as well.
Will insurance cover cleanup?
Many standard policies exclude sewer backup unless you added coverage. Check your policy and photograph the damage.
Guides
Step-by-step help
Sewer line repair
Sewage Backup in Your Home: What to Do and Avoid
Sewage backing up in your home? Stop using water, stay out, skip chemical drain openers, and learn how to tell a main line backup from a single drain.
Arko Smygov · 6 min read
Read the guideDrain cleaning
Sewer Gas Smell in Bathroom: Causes and Safe Checks
A sewer gas smell in the bathroom usually points to a dry trap, vent, seal or drain problem. Learn safe checks, health limits and when to call a plumber.
Arko Smygov · 5 min read
Read the guideLocal story
December 2025 Floods: What They Meant for Home Plumbing
What the December 2025 river floods in Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties showed about sewer backups, water safety, water heaters and crawlspaces.
Arko Smygov · 6 min read
Read the guideRelated services
Sewer line repair
Backups, odors, or soggy yards can mean a damaged sewer line. We inspect with a camera and fix it.
Learn moreDrain cleaning
Slow or clogged drains? We clear the blockage and check why it formed so it stays clear.
Learn moreToilet repair and install
Running, rocking, leaking or clogged toilets fixed or replaced, sealed right and tested.
Learn moreWhere we respond
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